Jewish Students at Oxford deserve answers and action from the Labour Party

Jewish Students at Oxford deserve answers and action from the Labour Party

Posted
on July 12 2016, 3:56 PM

Here is the UJS statement in light of Jewish students at Oxford writing an open letter to Jeremy Corbyn MP calling for the immediate and full publishing of Jan Royall’s inquiry into antisemitism in the Oxford University Labour Club (OULC):

“Almost five months to the day that Alex Chalmers resigned from his position as Co-Chair of Oxford University Labour Club (OULC), Jewish students are still waiting for a satisfactory response to the allegations of antisemitism that came to light following his resignation.

Many Jewish students at Oxford have submitted evidence to three inquiries, engaging in good faith with the Labour Party, but they’ve been let down by a process that has only brushed the issue of antisemitism under the carpet.

When Jewish students were told that the evidence and findings from the Royall inquiry were to be included in the Chakrabarti inquiry, they once again engaged in good faith, only to be left disappointed as there was no mention of OULC in the report. This is further proof that the Labour Party is unwilling to confront the issue of antisemitism within its own ranks.

The Labour Party has failed to reassure Jewish students that they are welcome at Labour clubs. This is why many Jewish students at Oxford have signed this letter, and we are proud that our President’s name sits alongside so many of theirs.

Jewish students deserve answers and action, so it is therefore imperative that Baroness Royall’s report into antisemitism in OULC be published immediately and in full.”

About UJS

We are the voice of over 8,500 Jewish students, spanning 60 Jewish Societies (J-Socs) on campuses across the UK and Ireland. We are traditional, progressive, cultural and spiritual; we come from the left, centre and right and can be found across religious and political spectrums.

Together we create and deliver powerful campaigns; fighting prejudice, advancing inclusion, and inspiring education and action on the issues that matter to us.